MACKINAC ISLAND, MI – Sometimes renovations of sprawling resorts make returning guests feel like they’re being welcomed back to their favorite place, but it’s just a bit fresher and brighter.
Then there are the multi-million-dollar resets that go so deep and add so many eye-catching and luxurious pieces that you find yourself walking around the property twice – a little awestruck – just trying to take it all in.
That’s how we felt when Mackinac Island’s historic Inn at Stonecliffe reopened partway through the season in 2024 after being closed for a two-year, $40 million renovation under the hand of its new owners. It went from being a charming mansion with a great island backstory and some adjoining suites to a transformed resort with new restaurants on site, an event venue, and a handful of private cottages overlooking the Straits of Mackinac.
And this weekend it has opened for its first full island season. The property offers an overnight resort experience for guests from late April through October. Its scenic event facilities also can be booked for weddings, family reunions and corporate activities.
The Inn at Stonecliffe is now open for the 2025 season on Mackinac Island.Photo provided by the Inn at Stonecliffe
“Building on the success and momentum of our inaugural season, we’re thrilled to welcome guests back to The Inn at Stonecliffe for a new summer season,” said Kevin Doyle, chief operating officer of Stonecliffe’s owner, The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation.
“Last summer, we were humbled by the overwhelming positive feedback from guests who experienced the revitalized property and exceptional service from our team. We worked hard to create a more vibrant, serene and happy Stonecliffe as we embarked on our first summer and now we’re excited to continue that momentum and introduce new offerings for 2025 – including the summer concert series, expanded wellness and activity programming, enhanced amenities, and a completely reimagined food and beverage experience. We can’t wait to share it all with our guests and the greater Mackinac Island community.”
A bonfire on the huge back lawn area and the Mackinac Bridge in the distance. It’s just one of the cool things to enjoy this summer at The Inn at Stonecliffe on Mackinac Island.Photo provided by the Inn at Stonecliffe
Whether you’ve booked a relaxing stay at Stonecliffe, are headed there for a meal, or are just pedaling by on your bike and want to stop in for a visit, you won’t want to miss the property’s new highlights for 2025.
A monthly summer concert series: Stay tuned for details.
Bike Pavilion: Stonecliffe welcomes both guests and visitors to the property. If you are a visitor, you can park your bike and explore the resort. Guests can rent branded Stonecliffe bikes to explore Mackinac Island.
The Candy Cart: “Opens nightly at 7:04pm, representing 1904 when the property was built, offering nostalgic and fun vintage sweets complete with candy jars and bags for guests to enjoy.”
Treat yourself at the Spa: New spa services will also be offered this summer, including a high-end facial menu.
More activities on site: “Weekly live music, fitness classes, movie nights, pizza making classes, fudge and wine tastings, nightly s’mores, a watercolor class with local artist Kate Dupre, and more activities are offered on a weekly and daily basis for guests.” You can keep abreast of all the happenings with the guest activity offerings page.
The Inn at Stonecliffe, located at 8593 Cudahy Circle on Mackinac Island, Michigan.Photo provided by The Inn at Stonecliffe
New Kitchen: “A brand-new kitchen will accommodate a seamless-on-site dining experience ensuring quality service and providing an enchanting ambiance for guests, locals, and other island visitors who dine at the resort.” Here’s a rundown of the dining options offered by the resort:
- The Straits, a fine-dining restaurant located in The Mansion’s main dining room with an outdoor patio. It features a seasonally-inspired menu incorporating ingredients found throughout the surrounding Great Lakes area.
- The Backyard, a casual outdoor restaurant. It serves up a variety of wood-fired pizzas and classic backyard bites enjoyed al fresco.
- Horsey’s, a cozy spot for a craft cocktail, pint of beer or a snack.
- The General Store carries homemade ice cream, has a coffee bar, grab-and-go food options, and branded merchandise for guests to purchase.
The signature spiral staircase inside the Mansion at The Inn at Stonecliffe.Photo provided by the Inn at Stonecliffe
The Rich History of Stonecliffe
Far removed from the bustle of Mackinac’s downtown, The Inn at Stonecliffe is one of the island’s most remote resorts. It’s about a 20-minute carriage ride from downtown. It’s located next door to Grand Hotel’s Woods fine-dining restaurant – a building that used to be a playhouse for Stonecliffe. You can read more about that fascinating history here.
The mansion was built in 1904 for Michael Cudahy, an Irish native who rose through the ranks of Chicago slaughterhouse jobs to become the owner of the Cudahy Packing Company, a giant among pre-Depression era meat-packing businesses.
Why The Inn at Stonecliffe is a Humanitarian Hotel
The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation was gifted ownership of The Inn at Stonecliffe in November 2021 and began renovations in early 2022. The foundation is named after the late Bill Pulte, a Detroit native who founded Pulte Homes and grew his namesake homebuilding company into a familiar brand over several decades. When Pulte died in 2018, he was a silent partner in a group that owned The Inn at Stonecliffe.
Like it has done with a couple of its other properties, the foundation decided Stonecliffe would be part of its Humanitarian Hotel model. This means 100% of net profits are being used to support charitable initiatives like scholarship programs, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, affordable housing, mental health support, and other projects not only in Mackinac County, but worldwide.
